Hello everyone! I'm back from my latest trip to India, and I've enjoyed a lot having time to read loads! So much that I'm now quite ahead on my Goodreads challenge, even if I've gone on some unexpected reading binges!
For this Mark This Book Monday I'm going to start with a book from my NetGalley pending pile and even if I'm cutting it a bit close, since release today is tomorrow, March 11th, at least it's up with some advance! This one also counts as part of my 2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge! I have to give a big thank you to St Martin's Press for approving my request for this book on NetGalley, it was a very pleasant change of pace and a thoroughly enjoyable book!
Strange Sweet Song by Adi Rule
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a really beautiful book and with such a different story from everything that I've read before!
This is the story of Sing da Navelli, a young talented soprano singer, daughter of the most famous and talented parents (soprano and orchestra conductor) and that starts in a new prestigious (and mysterious) school for young talents.
The book follows two intertwined plots, at first you won't be sure how the two will be mixed or the relevance of each story in the other, but they are mixed in quite a beautiful way! First, we have the Felix, a big cat made of stars and a fierce hunter since it fell down from the sky that can also make wishes come true. Second, we have Sing's story, a story of a girl finding out who she want to be, what she's ready to sacrifice for it and how far will she go to conquer her dreams. If has a big paranormal component, but I wouldn't say it's the main focus of the story. I feel the story focus is more on the choices we make, how we choose to act and behave and what we are ready to sacrifice to follow our dreams.
Sing is a very complex character. She's always loved music but being the daughter of two musical celebrities has her in the spotlight. She's expected to succeed and she's expected to follow the path of her mother, the diva Barbara di Navelli. But as much as she loves music and as much as her dreams are singing and performing as a soprano, she isn't really sure who she wants to be and how she wants to accomplish her dreams. Sometimes you feel like smacking her and sometimes you feel like giving her a hug. She makes friends, she makes enemies and despite her many mistakes, she manages to find her own voice, both physically and metaphorically.
The storyline with Nathan and George acts like the bridge between Sing's and the Felix's, and it's one that I'm still thinking about. Their relationship is quite hard to define but it is a big example of how the best of intentions can be twisted and how selfishness can twist us beyond recognition.
Music, opera, a mysterious creature, love, wishes and ambition... Finding your own way to follow your dreams and what would you sacrifice for them. Bottom line, Strange Sweet Song is a lyrical coming of age story with amazing gothic touches! Very well deserved 4 stars!
View all my reviews
For this Mark This Book Monday I'm going to start with a book from my NetGalley pending pile and even if I'm cutting it a bit close, since release today is tomorrow, March 11th, at least it's up with some advance! This one also counts as part of my 2014 Review Pile Reading Challenge! I have to give a big thank you to St Martin's Press for approving my request for this book on NetGalley, it was a very pleasant change of pace and a thoroughly enjoyable book!
Strange Sweet Song by Adi RuleMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a really beautiful book and with such a different story from everything that I've read before!
This is the story of Sing da Navelli, a young talented soprano singer, daughter of the most famous and talented parents (soprano and orchestra conductor) and that starts in a new prestigious (and mysterious) school for young talents.
The book follows two intertwined plots, at first you won't be sure how the two will be mixed or the relevance of each story in the other, but they are mixed in quite a beautiful way! First, we have the Felix, a big cat made of stars and a fierce hunter since it fell down from the sky that can also make wishes come true. Second, we have Sing's story, a story of a girl finding out who she want to be, what she's ready to sacrifice for it and how far will she go to conquer her dreams. If has a big paranormal component, but I wouldn't say it's the main focus of the story. I feel the story focus is more on the choices we make, how we choose to act and behave and what we are ready to sacrifice to follow our dreams.
Sing is a very complex character. She's always loved music but being the daughter of two musical celebrities has her in the spotlight. She's expected to succeed and she's expected to follow the path of her mother, the diva Barbara di Navelli. But as much as she loves music and as much as her dreams are singing and performing as a soprano, she isn't really sure who she wants to be and how she wants to accomplish her dreams. Sometimes you feel like smacking her and sometimes you feel like giving her a hug. She makes friends, she makes enemies and despite her many mistakes, she manages to find her own voice, both physically and metaphorically.
The storyline with Nathan and George acts like the bridge between Sing's and the Felix's, and it's one that I'm still thinking about. Their relationship is quite hard to define but it is a big example of how the best of intentions can be twisted and how selfishness can twist us beyond recognition.
Music, opera, a mysterious creature, love, wishes and ambition... Finding your own way to follow your dreams and what would you sacrifice for them. Bottom line, Strange Sweet Song is a lyrical coming of age story with amazing gothic touches! Very well deserved 4 stars!
View all my reviews
I hope you enjoyed your trip, Pili, and welcome back!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked this. Yours is the first review I've read, and I love that Sing sounds like such an interesting character. I'm intrigued by your description of Felix, and I can't wait to see how this ties into the story.
Stephanie @ Inspiring Insomnia
Thanks so much, Stephanie!
DeleteThe book was so very intriguing, do let me know if you check it out!
WOW, it DOES sound beautiful! I saw the cover and thought, oooo, it looks so pretty! I've been pretty involved in music for over ten years (along with the sports and the academics, hehe), so I feel like I'd be able to relate to the heroine in that aspect. I'll have to keep an eye out for this one! Fabulous review, Pili!
ReplyDeleteAlyssa @ The Eater of Books!
It was a real gem of a book, Alyssa! I hope you'll give it a chance!
DeleteThis really sounds unique and it seems like something I would really enjoy! I love music, it used to be a huge part of my life, I used to love it more than reading (gasp!) so I really like that the story is about a singer. Great review, and I'm glad to hear you had a nice trip!
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot about the world of singing and opera and orchestras.
DeleteThank you, Rachel!